IXL | Form and use plurals of nouns ending in f, fe, o, and y

Complete the sentence with the correct plural.

The most powerful iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiitornado can reach wind speeds of up to three hundred miles per hour.

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Learn with an example

question

Complete the sentence with the correct plural.

The iiiiiiiiiiiiiircliff found along the coast of County Clare are among the most popular places to visit in Ireland.

key idea

To form the plural of most nouns, add -s.

one tree → two trees

If a noun ends in -s, -ch, -sh, -x, or -z, then add -es to make it plural.

one bush → two bushes

If a noun ends in consonant-y, then drop the y and add -ies to make it plural.

one baby → two babies

If a noun ends in -f or -fe and the /f/ sound changes to /v/ when it's plural, drop the -f or -fe and add -ves to make it plural.

one wolf → two wolves

If a noun ends in -f or -fe and the plural form keeps the /f/ sound, just add -s to make it plural.

one chef → two chefs

If a noun ends in -o, usually add -s to make it plural. However, add -es for the following exceptions: tomato, potato, hero, echo, tornado, volcano, and mango.

one piano → two pianos

one tomato → two tomatoes

solution

The noun cliff ends in f, and it keeps the /f/ sound when it's plural. So, just add -s to make it plural. The plural of cliff is cliffs.

$Confetti$

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Work it out

Not feeling ready yet? These can help:

GG.2Form plurals of nouns ending in f, fe, o, and y

KK.8Use regular plurals with -s, -es, -ies, and -ves

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